About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a qualified counsellor (minimum Level 5, Foundation Degree) who is working towards professional accreditation and has direct experience in bereavement support, either through practice or structured volunteering. You will deliver safe, compassionate and evidence based counselling to adults, children and young people, demonstrating strong clinical skills, emotional resilience and a commitment to high quality bereavement care.
This bank, as and when required role is a valued part of our counselling team. You will work flexibly in response to service need and hold a caseload of bereaved individuals during periods of increased demand, staff absence or service pressure, ensuring consistent and effective support across the Bereavement Service.
Main duties of the job
As a Bank Counsellor, you will be responsible for:
- Provide skilled therapeutic support to bereaved adults, children and young people, using appropriate counselling models and interventions tailored to individual need.
- Deliver engaging bereavement related education sessions to external organisations, including local schools, colleges and community groups.
- Conduct thorough assessments to identify client needs, risks and suitability for counselling, ensuring timely onward referral where required.
- Select and apply appropriate therapeutic approaches, referring clients for specialist or alternative support when necessary.
- Respond promptly, professionally and empathetically to all enquiries, ensuring clients feel heard, supported and safe.
- Uphold strict confidentiality and data protection standards in line with professional and organisational requirements.
- Participate in regular clinical supervision to support reflective practice, professional development and safe client care.
- Facilitate or support bereavement groups, contributing to structured therapeutic programmes for adults or CYP.
- Contribute to internal hospice education sessions, supporting staff understanding of grief, loss and bereavement processes.
About us
Why join Teesside Hospice?
- Work within a CQC Outstanding organisation.
- Be part of a highly skilled, supportive and compassionate team.
- Make a meaningful difference to patients and families when they need it most.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Help shape and influence the future of hospice care across Teesside.
This is a rewarding opportunity to develop your leadership career while making a lasting impact on the lives of those we support.
At Teesside Hospice, we believe in making every moment count. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional, specialist care and support to patients and their families during challenging times.
People are at our core. We offer a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and are always aiming for the highest standards and working environment. Our teams work positively together, collaborating to ensure our patients get the best care, and staff enjoy a fulfilling career knowing they make a real difference in people's lives.
Our values are Compassionate, Skilled, Accountable, Trustworthy and Principled - working here means being part of a community that focuses on empathy, respect and teamwork. We're there for everyone who needs us and are on a mission to change the way society and healthcare systems care for people.
Join us at Teesside Hospice and be part of a place where your skills and compassion can truly shine.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Bank Counsellor will provide therapeutic support to Adults, Children and Young People referred to the Teesside Hospice Bereavement Counselling Service, including individuals experiencing anticipatory grief prior to a death. As part of this flexible, asrequired role, the counsellor may also deliver counselling and emotional support within local schools, working with pupils, staff and wider school communities when requested.
The post holder may contribute to the Hospices external education offer, delivering bereavementrelated training on an adhoc basis as required.
They will work in accordance with professional counselling standards, the Bereavement Service Standard Operating Policy, and all relevant Hospice policies and procedures. The role supports the Group Head of Bereavement Counselling in maintaining the effective, safe and highquality delivery of the Bereavement Service.
General Duties
- To work as a key member of the Bereavement Service to ensure a high-quality service delivery in an ethical and professional manner in line with the agreed Standard Operating Policy.
- To be a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or equivalent professional body.
- To be an experienced counsellor able to work both short or long term with clients and including experience of working with bereavement and loss.
- To deliver bereavement related education to external partners and organisations.
- To be responsible for a case load as agreed with Group Head of Counselling and service requirements.
- To have experience of assessing clients for risk and suitability, recognising the need to seek support in more difficult and complex situations from Head of Counselling and/or Supervisor.
- To work collaboratively with other members of the service, volunteers and wider Hospice as a whole to enable best support for patients and their families.
- To liaise with external agencies and referrers as necessary in a professional manner in line with agreed confidentiality guidelines.
- To maintain appropriate records to meet professional and Hospice guidelines and standards set by statuary bodies such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
- To engage in regular supervision in accordance with professional requirements.
- To maintain professional competence and ensure evidence-based practice by keeping updated with in house education, current research and development.
- Attend team meetings and inservice training as required, and be prepared to facilitate workshops, educational sessions and therapeutic groups as agreed with the Head of Bereavement. Counselling and service need.
- To demonstrate a commitment to Continued Professional Development (CPD).
- To carry out the role in accordance with the law, Hospice and service Policies and other relevant professional guidelines.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified counsellor to a minimum of Level 5, Foundation degree in Counselling
- Be BACP registered
- Excellent IT Skills, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to work with other professionals
- Effective team worker
- Excellent organisation skills
Desirable
- Understanding of working with volunteers
Experience
Essential
- Accredited counsellor (BACP Membership)
- Sound experience of working with a range of clients both short and long term
- Experience of working with bereavement and loss
- Experience of assessing clients
- Management of own caseload and time including accurate record keeping
- Experience of working with children and young people
- Experience of working with patients and their families experiencing anticipatory grief
- Awareness of ethical practice
- Experience of training and/or facilitating groups
Desirable
- Experience of audit
- Experience of supervising
Personal Attributes/Key skills
Essential
- Tact and sensitivity in dealing with a variety of situations
- Self-aware and able to identify and seek support for own needs
- Flexible attitude towards work
- Good collaborative team working skills
- Self-confident and ability to work on own initiative
- Committed to anti discriminatory practice
- Ability to hold professional boundaries
Desirable
- Understanding of multi-disciplinary working
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Teesside Hospice
Address
Teesside Hospice
1 Northgate Road
Linthorpe
Middlesbrough
TS5 5NW
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.teessidehospice.org (Opens in a new tab)